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L. L. DUBUIS.

TRACTOR.

I APPLICATION FILED JUNE29,I920.

1 ,398,683, Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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L. L. DUBOIS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED 1uNE29. |920.

1,398,683, Pmmamzs, 1921.

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L. L. DUBOIS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, i920.

1,398,683, Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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L. L. DUBOIS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1920.

' Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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L. L. DUBOIS.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION man mums, |920.

1,398,683. .Patented NOV,- 29, 4

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-L. L. DUBOIS.

TRACTOR.

.APPLlcAloN man JUNE 29. |920.

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L. L. DUBOIS.

v TRACTOR.

APPLICATIONv FILED JUNE 29. 1920.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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TRACTOR.

l vAPPLICATION FILED )UNE 29. |920 1 ,398,683. f Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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L'S LUBIF! EBOTS, G11" ASNIRES. FRANCE.

TRACTOR.

Application filed .Tune 29, 1920.

To all whom. .it may concern Be it known that I, Louis LUisiN Dunois, a citizen ci' the French Fepublic, resident of 29 Rue de lAvenir, Asnieres, Seine, France, have invented new and useful Tmprovements in a Tractor, (for which T have filed applications in France, No. 109,092, 22nd February, 1919, and No. 13,162, of 21st May, 1920, patent of addition,) oit which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to tractors, particularly for agricultural implements. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved tractor tor both motive and tractive purposes ci all kinds. This tractor is essentially characterized by its general organization, specially designed to make it a simple and durable appliance capable of being quickly coupled to an agricultural machine of any kind, so as to transform it into an automobile unit. The invention is also characterized by the peculiar arrangeinent ol the steering mechanism, by a special coupling cross-piece, in combination with the tractor, iinally by the change speed mechanism in which known devices have been combined in a new manner to adapt them to the particular purpose inview.

Tn the accompanying drawings a inode oit construction of the tractor and a modification are represented by way of example.

Figure l is a side elevation view et the appliance, the driving` wheel on the side oi the observer being removed to show the parts more clearly.

Figs. 2 and 8 are, respectively, an elevation and a plan view.

Figs. t and 5, represent, on a larger scale, in elevation and in a plan view, the coupling cross-piece.

Fig. 6 is a section of the change speed gear box through a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tractor also on a larger scale.

Fig. 7 shows a special device for mounting on plows or other agricultural machines requiring accurate regulation in height.

Fig. 8 represents a device for utilizing the front wheel as a steering wheel.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation view et a modified orm of the coupling device.

Fig. l() is a plan view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation showing the pivotal connection of the rear end oi' one ot the longitudinal beams of the chassis with the aXle of the driving Wheels.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 192i..

Serial No. 392,793.

Finally Fig. l2 is a plan view oi? Fig. 1i.

its represented more particularly in Figs. l and 8, the tractor comprises a chassis l the longitudinal beams of which are each at tached at the rear end to a boss on the axle 2 of the driving wheels 3. The said beams are extended Jforward at their iront ends and suppanted by two springs (i lined on the aXle Un the 'tore-part of the longitudinal beams a small wheel 5 is mounted which, during work, viz. when the tractor is coupled, is raised and occupies the position indicated in unbroken lines on Fig. This wheel can be lowered by any suitable mechanism when the tractor is uncoupled, so that the appliance rests on three wheels (3 and the chassis remaining horizontal. The wheel is brought into the position shown in broken lines in Fig. l

'either in the operation of uncoupling a ma chine or vehicle, and coupling another, or when the tractor is traveling alone like a tractor with three ordinary wheels.

Tt is to be noted that when wheel 5 is lowered to the ground and no plowing machine is coupled to the tractor, part ont the total weight is supported by the wheel 5. In this case, the springs 6 no longer work normally, and, owing to the pivotal connection et the chassis l, the appliance tends, in a sense, to break, the parts fixed on the axle and those on the chassis forming a more r less great angle with each other. This inconvenience is avoided by constituting the extremity oin each longitudinal beam with a fork 3l provided with a top part 39 against the underside of which boss 4 9 fixed on the axle 2, engages. The boss lO is joined at 4l with the fork 39, said fork and boss having registering holes, 42, 43, through which the pin il passes.

Tn the brancl es of the iork there are other holes 42, 4:2 registering with a hole 3' in the boss 4:9 for the purpose hereinafter explained. i

The following results are obtained by means 01"' this arrangement. u

l. During work, when an implement is coupled to the tractor, the wheel 5 being raised, the longitudinal beams can. pivot around the pin 4&1, but their displacement is limited by the stop-piece 'formed by the top part 39. As long as the boss does not rest against the said top part, the springs act normally as a resilient support for the whole chassis l.

2. it the time when the wheel 5 is lowered preparatory to travel on the ground and from the moment when this wheel rests on the ground, it lifts the chassis. Vhen, during this lifting, the holes L12 are opposite hole L13 a pin la is passed through these holes and pivotal movement of the chassis on the axle is thus prevented. The weight oit the tractor can then be exerted on the front wheel without causing angular displacement oil the chassis with regard to the axle and the tractor acts as an ordinary three-wheel tractor.

The chassis 1 supports, in the ordinary way, the motor ll and its clutch. There is a sleeve 7 on the axle 2 (Fig. G) the said sleeve having a downward prolongation or extension in the form or' a heavy rod 8 acting as a pivot and engaging, as will be seen later, in a socket oi the coupling cross-piece. The sleeve 7 is prolonged at the top by a piece 9 supporting a change speed gear box 10.

The coupling cross-piece 11 has the form represented in Figs. 1, 1 and 5. In the trent-part of this cross-piece there is formed a socket 11 to receive the rod 8 of which mention has been made. In the rear part ci Hthe cross-piece there are a certain number' of substantially-cylindrical, horizontal oritices 12. These orifices constitute the part of the coupling between the tractors and the machine or vehicle coupled with it, the said machine er vehicle heilig provided with a connectingmember of any suitable form to ft therein.

It is to be observed. that owing to the provision ot the multiple orilices 12, it is possible to mount the machine at different heights; thus any kind of machine or implenient can be coupled to the tractor. In the particular case et plows (or other machines which require somewhat precise regulation of height) the special mounting device shown in Fig; 7, is adapted tor attachment to the cross-piece 11. This device comprises two coupling pins 13 or the like litting into the openings 12, these pins terminating at their rear ends in sleeves er sockets through which extends an endwise movable vertical rod 15 operated by a hand wheel 14,'said rod terminating at its lower end in a coupling socket 12', similar to soclret 13, to receive the sleeve or connecting member ot the plow or other machine to be coupled. This device makes it possible to couple any kind of machine or implement with the tractor but, once coupled, such machine terms a rigid unit with the tractor in the longitudinal direction.

A modilied form of coupling is shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

In the orifices 12 of the cross-piece 11 two coupling pins 13-13 9) engage. These coupling pins are cylindrical and parallel and are structurally independent of the machine to be coupled. Keys 38 secure the pins 1.3-13 in the longitudinalV direction.

The pins 13 terminate on the side of the machine to be coupled in a fork 13a, each limb of which is formed with two holes for axle pins 30-31. The gap between the limbs of this fork is, for a purpose indicated later, wider where pin 31 traverses it than where pin 30 traverses it.

The pin 13 is 'formed with a transverse hole 32 in line with pin 30. It can, when necessary, be prolonged and pierced lengthwise with a second hole in line with pin 31.

The part 33, rigidly fixed on the machine .El

to be coupled (lor example the pole of a plow) is formed at theextremity so that it can engage with the 'lork 13a. It has two thicknesses which corresgond to the ytwo widths ot the gap in the tork and it is per- "1 lorated with two holes registering with those in the fork so that, as required, the pins 30 and 31 can be passed through the forl 13, and through the parts 33 and 13.

In these conditions- 1. It an entirely rigid coupling is required, the pins 30 and 31 are engaged in their respective holes in the pieces 13, 13. In this case the steering ot the tractor is effected by the wheel 18, pinion 17 and sec-- tor 16. y

2. If it is required to allow the tractor and the coupled machine to form an angle with each other in the horizontal plane to facilitate turning, the pin 31 is removed. In this case there is a swinging or pivotal. movement in the horizontal direction, around the axis of pin 30; the angular displacement can be limited between any two points by means oi? stop pieces placed on a sector 311, either between the symmetrically placed stop pieces 35, 35', or 36 and 3G', or unsymmetrically between the stop-pieces 37 and 35 or and 37 &c. according to the needs ot the work. In this case 'he 'front wheel can be replaced by a steerable wheel the height oit which above the ground can be regulated by the aid of a suitable device. In this case steering is operated, once the wheel is raised, by braking one of the wheel axles, this bralring being operated by working the right brake or the lett brake to enable all vturnings to be made within the limits determined by the angular' displacement of the coupling.

3. Il' it is desired to impart to the machine, while rigidly coupled to the tractor in the horizontal plane, a rotation with respect to this tractor, around the longitudinal axis of the system, the coupling action et' the member 13 30 being replaced by a shorter pin which does not reach the coupling member 13', the pin 31 and, ot course alsol pin 30, remaining engaged in the forl 13a.

l. .Finally for the coupling to be articuis done away with, the pin lated in all directions, the front wheel being steerable and the tractor constituting a three Wheel tractor, the pin 3() is removed, the thinner part of the piece 33 is placed in the Wider part of the form, and a pin 31', of less diameter than pin 81, is threaded in the holes opposite; thus, thanks to the play existing; between the parts, an articulation of the system in a vertical direction is obtained.

This modified construction, as can be seen, enables any system for coupling` a plowing; machine to a tractor, from a coupling rigid in all directions to a coupling articulated in all directions to be easily obtained as re quired.

The front part of the couplinig` cross-piece 11 is provided with the steering,` sector 1G; this sector' gears With a pinion 17 keyed on the steering post, control being obtained by the aid of the Wheel 1S. In this apparatus the Wheels 3 are both driving and steering Wheels. However, when the tractor is to travel alone-viz: Without being rigidly coupled ivith a machine or vehicle,-tlie front Wheel 5 must be made a steering` ivheel. This can for example be obtained by connecting said Wheel with the steering` gear by some suitable transmission such as a horizontal chain guided on rollers or in channel, this chain passing over a pinion which during the steering operation rotates a pin ion mounted on a vertical rod rigidly connected with the forl of the front Wheel. By means of a key or by mounting on a square shaft, the pinion can be moved along the aforesaid rod, Without ceasing to be controlled by the steering,v chain.

The Wheel 5 can also be used for steering by means of mechanism such as that represented by Way of example in Fig'. 8, in which mechanism a rod Q2 unites, by means of universal joints 22 22, the steering` wheel 18 with 'wheel 5; clutch device of any kind 23 makes it possible to connect the wheel 1B either to the steering,1 post previously dcscribed (and Which controls the sector 1G of Wheels 3) or the rod ln the latter case, when the wheel 19 is Worked, the endless screw 211 turns and rotates a Wheel 25 iixed to soclet 26 'ivhifeh in rotation moves the fork of Wheel 5. This mechanism is mounted on the chassis by the aid of a support 2T.

The Wheels 3 of the tractor are preferably provided with Wings to augment adherence of the device,

The change speed gear in box 10 (Fig. t3) is constructief, to give, for example, three speeds (one for travel on the road and tivo others for agricultural Work) and reversal. lt presents the peculiarity of comprising,` a special shaft 19 which is worked by the motor through the agency of the change speed and can also be controlled at the same time as the driving wheels or independently of them. The shaft 19 enables the operation of a tool of any lrind by means of a pulley or of a irolongation provided with an universal joint; the tool thus constituted can, moreover, be rigidly connected with the tractor. It is thus, in particular, that the apparatus can control a mechanical saiv, a dynamo, .dredger &c.

lhe special change speed gear box with its shaft 19 and the coupling' cross-piece are also capable of beingl used simultaneously to form an actual motor Winch, very useful in agricultural Work.

The tractor is provided with change speed levers such as 2O to obtain one speed or another, or reversal, or to control the shaft 19 (with or Without simultaneous control of the driving Wheels) as required.

The tractor is provided with brakes of any suitable type acting on Wheels 3 and controlled by a lever 21, these brakes acting as the driver requires, on one only of the driving` Wheels to turn around on the spot, or on both Wheels.

No claim is made in this application to the special form of coupling' means per ce shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 10, this structure forming` the subject-matter of a divisional applica'- tion, filed Sept. 19, 1921.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A tractor, particularly for agricultural implements, comprising a chassis, tivo driving Wheels at the rear, a third Wheel in front, means for adjustingsaid third Wheel vertically, steering mechanism for the said drs/ing Wheels, and means for connecting the steering` mechanism With the tivo driving Wheels or to the front Wheel as desired.

2. A tractor, particularly for agricultural implements, comprising a chassis, tivo driving Wheels at the rear, a third Wheel in front inoperative when the tractor is coupled to an implement but serving` to support said tractor when uncoupled, a coupling cross p' ce on said tractor, and means whereby an implement can bc couiiled to said cross piece rigidly, or with relative freedom in the one or more directions as desired.

A tractor, particularly for agricultural implements, comprising a chassis, tivo driving Wheels at the rear, a third Wheel in front inoperative when the tractor is coupled to an implement but serving` to support said tractor when uncoupled, a cross axle betiveen the driving- Wheels, a coupling; cross piece secured to said axle, said cross piece having a forward extension in the form of a sector and steering mechanism geared to said sector.

4;. A tractor, particularly for agricultural implements, comprising' two driving` Wheels, an axle therefor, a third Wheel inoperative when the tractor is coupleril to an imolement but serving to support said tractor when un- CIK coupled; a chassis extending` from the front wheel to the rear wheels axle; means extending1 forwardly Yfrom said axle under the chassis to support the same resiliently when the tront wheel is raised .from the ground; and means for rigidly attaching` the chassis to the aforesaid axle when the liront wheel rests on the ground.

5. A tractor, particularly 'for agricultural implements; comprising two driving wheels, an axle therefor; a bess on said axle; a chassis having its rear portion connected 'for pivotal movement relative to said hess; a third wheel carried by the l'orepart of said chassis; means secured to said axle and extending` forwardly under said chassis to resiliently support the saine; and means for preventing the said pivotal movement 'et the chassis when the third wheel rests on the ground.

6. A tractor tor agricultural-implements, comprising a chassis; two driving` wheels at the rear thereof; a front wheel movable into inoperative position when` the tractor is coupled to an implement and into operative position to support the liront part et the tractor when the latter is uncoupled; and steering mechanism eonnectible to said front wheel when the same occupies its second position, but disconnectible therefrom when it occupies its first position.

7. A tractor, according to claim 6, in which the front wheel has a threaded spindle associated with it whereby it may be raised eirectly upwardly into its inoperative position and thereafter lowered into its operative position in engagement with the ground.

8. A tractor for agrici'iltural implements, comprising a chassis; a `front wheel and a pair et rear wheels connected herewith; steering1 mechanism; and inea-ns tor connecting the steering' mechanism alternatively with the front wheel or with the rear wheels.

9. i tractor tor agricultural implements; comprising;1 a chassis; a pair et driving' wheels; an axle therefor; a trent supporting wheel connected with the. chassis and niovable into and out et inoperative position; spring means extending forwardly :from said axle beneath the rear end ot the chassis to isesss resiliently support the latter when said I"front wheel is in inoperative position; and means iior rigidly connecting` the chassis with the axle when the lfront wheel occupies its operative position.

l0. A tractor for agricultural implements, comprising1 a chassis; a pair oit driving wheels; an axle tor said wheels having a lateral projection to which the chassis is pivotally connected at its rear end; a front supporting;` wheel connected with the chassis and lovable into and out ot inoperative position; spring means extending` forwardly iirom said axle heneath the rea-r end oit the chassis to resiliently support the latter when said :'ront wheel is in inoperative position; Y

and a locking element engageable with the1 rear end of the chassis and the lateral projection on the axle to rigidly connect the saine when the front -wheel occupies its operative position.

ll. A tractor for agricultural implements, comprisingv a chassis7 the longitudinal beams of which are forked at their rear ends; a pair of drivingv wheels; an axle therefor having a pair ol" bosses engaged in the 'liorlrs et said beams; pivots connect-ing said forks and bosses to enable a relative pivotal movement between the chassis ant the axle; a front supportingl wheel connected with the chassis and movable into and out ot inoperative position; spring means extending1 forwardly from said axle beneath the rear end oil the chassis to resiliently support the latter when the 'trent wheel is in inoperative position; and loclrin` element engageahle with each lorlr and the respective boss Vto rigidly connect the same when the trent wheel occupies its operative position.

l2. A tractor for agricultural impleinf-wiwi; comprising a chassis; a -liront wheel LOUlS LUBIN DUBOIS. 

